WTM 2018: Ras Al Khaimah visitors set to triple

Ras Al Khaimah plans to triple annual visitor numbers to three million by 2025 with a programme of hotel building.

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“Our focus remains on sustainable development with new products and accommodation to meet the growing demand.”

The United Arab Emirate is revealing its Destination 2019-21 strategy at WTM London.

Haitham Mattar, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority chief executive, said the emirate was “on track to exceed our projection of one million visitors by the end of the year”.

He added: “Our focus remains on sustainable development with new products and accommodation to meet the growing demand.”

Plans are in place to add 5,600 rooms to the 6,500 currently available with the debut of major global brands including Marriott, Movenpick, Sheraton, Anantara, Rezidor, Intercontinental, Hampton by Hilton and Crowne Plaza over the next three years.

The aim is to further grow to more than 12,000 hotel rooms by 2022. The 37-room Luxury Mountain Camp is due to open in December 2019 at Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest mountain.

“Jebel Jais remains core to our proposition as we look to capitalise on the global adventure tourism industry and secure further interest from investors in this growing segment,” Mattar said.

The mountain is home to Jebel Jais Flight, the world’s longest zip line. The 100mph, 1.75-mile ride will next year feature an additional zip-line cable to enhance capacity, together with an adventure park.

A virtual reality simulation of the ride is on the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority’s stand.